Red Clover (Trifolium pretense)

Also Known as: Bee-bread, Cow Clover, Wild Clover

Uses: Tea blends, ointments, tinctures

Parts Used: Blossoms, leaves

Red clover is a wild plant belonging to the legume family and found growing in meadows. Cattle and other animals love to graze on this valuable plant. It has also been used medicinally to treat a number of conditions including cancer, whooping cough, respiratory problems, and skin inflammations, such as psoriasis and eczema. Health care practitioners believe that red clover purifies the blood by acting as a diuretic (helping the body get rid of excess fluid) and expectorant (helping clear lungs of mucous), improving circulation, and helping cleanse the liver. Red Clover is considered to be one of the richest sources of isoflavones, which are water-soluble chemicals that act like estrogen, (these isoflavones are found in many other plants as well) therefore it is used for hot flashes/flushes, PMS as well as lowering cholesterol. 

Red Clover may also help the arteries remain strong and flexible which may also prevent some of the plaque deposits that lead to heart attack and stroke. Red clover is a source of many nutrients including calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, and vitamin C. Five large clover leaves provide the same amount of protein as one ounce of cheese! You will find Red Clover in our Blissful Tea Blend and Angel's Cup.

Garden Tips:

Stratify seeds for several weeks and then sow directly outdoors. Germination will occur in 7-10 days. space these clumping plants 12 inches apart. Red Clover is found mostly in meadows and banks of rivers and streams.

The blossoms dry very nicely, I pick, rinse, pat them with paper towel and set them on a screen to dry. 

For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the FDA. This is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.